Things to Know About Double Bass

Sizes

Double basses come in various sizes, most commonly 1/2 size, 3/4 size and full size.  Most Children between 9-14 will be best off with a 1/2 size,  while a 3/4 size will work for most adults and teenagers older than 15. Full size basses are very large, and in fact, many adult professional bass players prefer 3/4 size. Most rental companies only carry up to 3/4 size.

Materials

Double bass bodies can be made out of plywood, out of carved pieces of solid wood, or a combination of both. The finger boards are usually ebony or rosewood. Generally basses fit into one of three categories;

“Plywood Basses”: As the name implies, these are made almost entirely of plywood.  Generally, these are considered student basses, as they usually have a less balanced sound than their counterparts.  On the plus side, they are also less expensive, less delicate, and less sensitive to weather than their counterparts, again making them good student basses. Most plywood basses have either rosewood or low-grade ebony fingerboards. they can generally be purchased for between $800 and $2,000. Most rentals are plywood; any bass smaller than a 3/4 size will almost certainly be plywood.

“Carved Top” or “Hybrid” Basses: These basses have backs and sides made out of plywood, but the front or “Top” is made out of carved pieces of solid wood.  They offer the affordability and some of the durability of plywood, but generally have a fuller, more nuanced sound, although are almost always still considered student basses. Most Hybrids have ebony fingerboards. They are generally in the $1500-$4,000 price range.  While they are sometimes rented, shops don’t always have them in stock, you will generally pay a premium.

“Fully Carved” basses: Basses made entirely out of carved pieces of solid wood.  While not all fully carved basses are considered professional quality, almost all basses considered professional quality are fully carved.  They will almost always have ebony fingerboards, and if there is nothing majorly wrong with them, generally sell for $5,000 and above. It is unlikely that most string rental companies will have fully carved basses for rent, although most will have at least one for sale.